Company News

IS YOUR CELLULAR PLAN STILL RIGHT FOR YOU?

It may be Time for a 'phone plan checkup'

CHICAGO (Jan. 25, 2011) – Getting an annual physical checkup to maintain good health has become second nature for most. Fresh off of being ranked the "best wireless carrier" by customers in a Consumer Reports survey, U.S. Cellular is encouraging everyone to take a close look at their monthly mobile plan to make sure it still meets their needs.

"Our associates are happy to do an assessment to help customers select affordable voice, text and data packages that fit their lifestyle," said Edward Perez, vice president of marketing and sales operations for U.S. Cellular. "Providing this guidance as well as great phones, a high-speed nationwide network and unmatched benefits of The Belief Project are all a part of our commitment to continue to elevate the customer experience in 2011."

With the growing popularity of computer-like smartphones including the Android-powered HTC Desire and Samsung Mesmerize (a Galaxy S device), consumers rely on their cell phones more than ever to enhance their lives. A recent study showed that data application use on cell phones increased significantly from 2009 to 2010, with the largest jumps in recording video (up 15 percent), Internet use (up 13 percent), playing music (up 12 percent) and gaming (up 7 percent).

"With new plans tailored for particular types of wireless users and new devices being introduced all of the time, it makes sense for customers to periodically check their plans and phones to make sure they still are the right fit," Perez said. "With The Belief Project, we offer a variety of cutting-edge devices and national Belief Plans to match how much customers talk, text, play games or watch movies on their phones."

The Belief Project recognizes customer loyalty with innovative programs like upgrades to the coolest phones at promotional prices every 18 months or sooner without requiring customers to continuously sign contracts. It also boasts an assortment of bundled National Single Line and Family Belief Plans designed to mirror the way people use their phones.

Great for families who text and use the Internet more than they talk, the Essential Plus Family Plan comes with two lines for $139.99 per month with 1,500 shared minutes, unlimited messaging and 5GB of data per line. For those who like to talk, text, e-mail and browse the web, the Premium Plus Family Plan offers two lines with unlimited minutes and messaging, 5GB of data per line, Phone Replacement and GPS navigation for $179.99 per month.

U.S. Cellular also launched the $69.99 Primary Plus Plan, the best value in wireless. This smartphone-friendly plan comes with 5GB of data, unlimited text, picture and video messaging and free GPS navigation. This plan works well for turbo-texting data-lovers and also includes free unlimited incoming calls from any phone, nights and weekends, and mobile-to-mobile calls.

All plans are backed by U.S. Cellular's high-speed nationwide network and the valuable benefits of The Belief Project, including rewards for doing simple things like paying their monthly bill on time, adding a line or referring new customers. Rewards can also be used to get faster upgrades to the newest phones, accessories, ringtones and for Overage Forgiveness. With "no contract after the first," new customers who complete a two-year contract will never have to sign another one and will continue to get guaranteed upgrades to the newest phones at promotional prices every 18 months. While some carriers are increasing time for phone upgrades, U.S. Cellular customers get valuable rewards just for being customers and can get even faster upgrades in as little as 10 months when they use their rewards.

For more information about all of U.S. Cellular's plans and phones, visit any U.S. Cellular store, go to uscellular.com or check out U.S. Cellular on Facebook.

About The Belief Project
The Belief Project, recently named Frost and Sullivan's Customer Value Enhancement of the Year, recognizes customer loyalty with national bundled plans that offer customers the freedom to enjoy industry-leading benefits without signing continuous contracts – like guaranteed upgrades to the newest phones at promotional prices every 18 months.

With "no contract after the first," new customers who complete a two-year contract will never have to sign another one and will continue to get guaranteed upgrades to the newest phones at promotional prices every 18 months. Existing customers who switch to the new Belief Plans can simply finish out their current contract and never sign a contract again.

While some carriers are increasing time for phone upgrades, U.S. Cellular customers automatically get valuable rewards just for being a customer that can be used for even faster phone upgrades in as little as 10 months. Rewards can also be used to get additional lines, phones, accessories and ringtones. Customers who refer a friend to a Belief Plan get 1,000 reward points, along with the friend who signed up that could be used to get a new phone one month faster.

Customers can save up to 5 percent on their monthly plans for setting up autopay and paperless billing. U.S. Cellular also introduced the industry's only Phone Replacement program for customers on select plans. If a customer's phone accidentally breaks or stops working, U.S. Cellular replaces it with the same or similar model at no additional cost.

These innovative initiatives were developed to elevate the customer experience and create a human relationship with customers, not a contractual one. For more information about The Belief Project, visit uscellular.com.

About U.S. Cellular
U.S. Cellular is committed to fixing wireless one project at a time and recently unveiled The Belief Project, an array of industry-leading innovations designed to elevate the customer experience. The Chicago-based carrier provides the best cell phone service in the country according to survey results released by Consumer Reports, which found that wireless customers are more satisfied with U.S. Cellular than every other major wireless company. U.S. Cellular was also named one of Forbes Magazine's 2010 "Most Trustworthy Companies." The Belief Project complements U.S. Cellular's growing catalog of cutting-edge phones that are all backed by its high-speed nationwide network. To learn more about U.S. Cellular, visit one of its retail stores or uscellular.com. You can also check out U.S. Cellular on Facebook.